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What causes bone pain? 26 possible conditions

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Bone pain is often described as a deep or penetrating pain. It often is worse at night and when you move the affected limb. Read more

Bone pain is often described as a
deep or penetrating pain. It often is worse at night and when you move the
affected limb.

Bone pain, tenderness, or
achiness is a common problem, particularly among those who are middle-aged or
older. As you age, your body undergoes many changes. Muscle size and bone
density generally decrease as you become less active. This makes you more prone
to overuse injury and bone fractures.

While bone pain is most likely
due to decreased bone density or an injury to your bone, it can also be a sign
of a serious underlying medical condition. Bone pain or tenderness could be the
result of infection, an interruption in the blood supply, or cancer.

These conditions require
immediate medical attention. If you have unexplained bone pain, do not ignore
it. Make an appointment with your doctor to find out why.

Causes of bone pain

Bone pain can be caused by a wide
variety of conditions, including:

bone fracture, or break

overuse or repetitive movement injury

hormone deficiency, usually due to menopause

infection

bone cancer

cancer that has spread from the point of origin,
or metastatic malignancy

cancer of the blood cells, or leukemia

interruption in the blood supply caused by
conditions like sickle cell anemia

There are also some other
possible causes. Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bone mass is reduced
below what is considered normal.

Age, hormonal changes, and lack
of physical activity are factors that contribute to decreasing bone density.
This can increase your likelihood of developing bone fractures and suffering
bone pain.

If you have bone pain for no
obvious reason, or if you have previously been treated for cancer, you should
consult with your physician.

Depending on the specifics of
your pain, as well as a thorough physical examination, additional testing may
include:

X-rays of the bone that hurts (to identify
breaks, fractures, and abnormalities)

CT scan, MRI, or bone scan of the affected
area or your entire body (to identify tumors or other abnormalities)

blood studies

urine studies

hormone level studies

pituitary and adrenal gland function studies

Treatment for bone pain

Your doctor will determine your
treatment based on your diagnosis. If you have any bone fractures or breaks,
those must be addressed. You will require a long-term treatment plan specific
to that diagnosis if you are found to have any underlying conditions, such as
osteoporosis or cancer

Prescription medications may
include:

drugs to relieve inflammation

antibiotics, if you have an infection

hormones, if you have a hormone imbalance

pain relievers

Complementary therapies for
people with cancer include acupuncture, massage, and relaxation techniques.

Physical therapy or regular
exercise can help you to feel better and increase your strength and stamina,
while also increasing your bone mass. But make sure that before beginning an
exercise regimen for bone pain, check with your doctor.

Some exercises that might help
alleviate bone pain from specific causes include:

Low back pain

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes your bones to lose density and become weak and
brittle, increasing your chances of bone fractures. Exercising several times a
week can help build strength.

Walking, treadmill, climbing stairs, dancing, swimming, and
bicycling are recommended. Working with light weights can also help build
strength.

Osteoarthritis

If you have arthritis, it may be tempting to avoid exercise. But
that is unwise. Exercise helps to keep your joints flexible and can reduce pain
in the long run. A balanced exercise regimen of stretching, walking, swimming,
and bicycling can help.

Avoid exercises that put stress on your joints, such as running,
competitive sports, and aerobics.

Joint replacement

If you’ve had a total joint
replacement, avoid placing too much stress on the joint. Swimming and bicycling
are good choices.

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